Am 02.10.2009 war Ben Granfelt mit seiner Band zu Gast im Blues in Rhede. Die finnischen Musiker begeisterten die Fans mit einem zweistündigen Live-Programm der Extraklasse. Sound: Stony Broke, Fotos: Christian Giese.
BEN GRANFELT BAND
“You ain’t got nothing on me,
I might be ageing, might slow down,
and I know I’m not the front page news.
But can’t you feel it, can’t you hear it?
It’s just like good old home-made brew…”
Ben Granfelt Band, BGB, gets its energy from playing live gigs and this is also where the band is at its very best. The music is a pure cocktail of rhythm, melody and soul where even progressive and heavy rock music styles blend in naturally. This is rock music with a twist of blues-heavy-groovyjamming and it just can’t get much better. Like vintage wine Ben Granfelt just keeps getting better over the years. This 45 year old musician has a way of always sounding fresh but staying true to his own familiar sound at the same time. Ben Granfelt Band’s 10th album Kaleidoscope takes you on a musical journey and is released on Feb 4, 2009 in Finland and later elsewhere in Europe. As most guitarists Ben has a long history of playing the guitar. He started as a little boy and has since played with many famous bands (e.g. Wishbone Ash, Leningrad Cowboys) and soon on 26 albums. His solo band was formed in 1993 and BGB has toured clubs and festivals in Finland, UK, Germany, US, Austria and Switzerland. Ben Granfelt and his band is also highly appreciated at the Abu Dhabi and Dubai Jazz Festivals. When Ben is not bending the Fender this father of two is very much a family man. His schedules are planned according to the family and his hobbies, the martial arts. While Ben might be somewhat bendable in his parenting his achievements in martial arts speak of his uncompromising determination: 2nd degree black belt in karate and brown belt in Brazilian jiujitsu. Influenced by e.g. Gov’t Mule, Jeff Beck, Peter Frampton and Robin Trower Ben interprets daily life into music and his music becomes a painting of it all. Drummer Miri Miettinen has played with Ben since the begining of Ben’s solo career. Miri has played on over 300 albums as a studio musician and in many bands, films and theatrical plays. He also works as a drum teacher and runs his own SoundFactory studio with his partner. Bassist John “Groovemaster” Vihervä is the king of jamming! He generates the pulse of life anywhere he plays. Among other groups John has played in Stratovarius, Five Fifteen and Monsterbore. Kasper Mårtenson (keyboards) is the newest member of the band. Kaleidoscope is a great example of keyboards adding the final strokes completing the painting. Kasper has previously played in Amorphis. grooveyardrecords.com: ….Highly recommended to fans of Hendrix, Trower, Gov’t Mule, Pink Floyd & Plankton… It’s all Ben – and his band. Period. He effortlessly kicks in effects from a retro-sensible palette on a bar-by-bar basis to push the envelope and flesh out the power trio delivery with teeth-gritting energy and stylistic confidence, featuring dramatic tonal coloring and classic retro tones, circa 1971…and before. They say that to learn is to remember…so…listen to “The Sum Of Memories.” Learn…and remember. Welcome back to the future, fellow travelers – Ben Granfelt Band has been waiting for you…
Tribune.com.ng: Ben Granfelt, awarded the Golden Emma award as best guitarist by the Sounds Guitar Society in Finland, plays all over the planet. He has attended a record of 450 shows, with nine CDs, while the 10th is on the way. His performance, which is highly rated at the festival, heralded the second day’s show.
Nordische-Musik.de: Ben Granfelt und seien Band beherrschen die Kunst, ihre Idole aus der Vergangenheit nicht zu kopieren, sondern die für sie beste(n) Musik(er) aller Zeiten zu einem neuen Ganzen auf höchstem Niveau zu verquicken.
Rocktimes.de: Ben Granfelt ist nicht nur ein brillanter Gitarrist, sondern verleiht auch noch mit überraschend markanter Stimme seinen Kompositionen die richtige Signatur. Melodischer, gitarrenorientierter Rock, wie ihn auch einer seiner letzten Arbeitgeber, die britische Rocklegende
Wishbone Ash pflegt, allerdings in einer deutlich härteren Variante, ist sein Credo, was sich auch in den weiträumigen Improvisationen niederschlägt… Eine Mixtur aus ausgereiften Kompositionen und erlesener Gitarrenarbeit. Ein Kaleidoskop der Stilrichtungen, die jedoch niemals antiquiert oder altbacken wirken. Auf jeden Fall, ein Hörgenuss der besonderen Art.
